How a sacrificial duck and a Hindu scripture became witnessing tools for Christ

The leader of a Hindu temple in Indonesia needed a duck to sacrifice for one of their ceremonies. He recently met a Christian ministry leader, and asked the Christian if he could help him find a “special duck.”

The 36-year-old temple leader was considered the head of the village, had large land holdings and two wives, according to Christian Aid Mission (CAM).

It seemed like an odd request. Why does he think I could find him this special duck? the Christian wondered. “What will this duck be used for?” he asked.

The Hindu leader explained the duck would be sacrificed so his god will be appeased. “If it was not offered, the ‘big fish’ will be disturbed by a god and get sick,” he said.

With Spirit-filled inspiration, the Christian explained the role of animal sacrifices in ancient Israel and how they were no longer necessary because the blood of Jesus Christ is the perfect, final, and sufficient offering for the forgiveness of sins.

“I tried to explain it by using a passage from the Hindu scripture, Bhagavad Gita, verse 24.23.3, which says, ‘Only the life of God can be the sacrifice that can make people clean from sin.’”

These words from the Hindu holy book shocked the man when he suddenly recognized their correlation to Jesus Christ.